Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1887-04-27
DUELING STORIES.

How Plucky DOCTOR hAaoe nuhy
From the St. James Gazette.
Mr.. William Douglass. late OF the
Tenth Royal Hussars, has written q
book on "Dueling Days In the
Army" which Messrs. Ward and
Downey have just published. The
custom took long time to die out IN
the British service; long after they
had been forbidden by the articles of
war duels were fought. When an Off
Ger was wounded in a duel, it was rep
resented to the authorities-although
every man in the corps knew other
wise-that he had sprained his ankle
or broken his leg; and when one of
the contestants fell, it was put
down to disease-at home, apoplexy;
abroad, cholera or fever. Mr.. Doug
lass mentions several instances of
duelists escaping death by the bullets
being stopped or detected by the
brass buttons so much worn by our
grandfathers. When Captain Cuth-
bert of the guards and Lord Lonsdale
fought in 1892, two shots were fired
by each without injury to either; but
Lord Lonsdale's last shot would
probably have been fatal If the bullet
had not struck button on Captain
euthbert's coat.
While DR.. Young an officer belong
ing to the Woolwich Garrison, WAS es-
eorting some ladies up the river to
Vauxhall about the year 1920, he
played them tunes on flute. Be-
hind them was q boat, in which were
several officers, rowing for the same
goal, and, as these soon came along
side the one the doctor and his party
were in, he ceased playing.
One OF the officers Immediately
asked why he did SO? "For the same
reason began" answered DR.. Young.
"to please myself" The reply to
this was an order to continue playing,
ending with threat that if he did not
do so, he 1.-THE oficer) would toss the
doctor into the Thames. DR.. Young
complied with the insolent demand
and played all the way up the river
to Vauxhall. During the evening,
however, the doctor observed the
officer, who had been SO unsteady in
elined, by himself, in one of the walks,
when he went up to him, and with
great GOODNESS said: 'fLt was, sir, to
avoid interrupting the harmony of
either my company or yours that I
complied with your arrogant de-
mand, but that you may learn cour-
age is to be found under black coat
as we'll as under g. red one, / expect
you will meet me tomorrow morning
at g. certain place without any Sec
ond, the quarrel being between our
selves" The doctor further cove
nanted that the affair should be decid-
ed by swords, to all of which con-
ditions the officer readily agreed.
The parties met the following morn
ing SIS had been arranged; but, the mo-
ment the officer had taken his ground
and drawn his sword, the doctor pulled
out q horse-pistol, and presented it
at him. "What !" exclaimed the Off
Ger in fright, ssdo you mean to as
sassinate me?" NO" replied the
doctor, shut you shall instantly put
up your sword, and dance minuet,
otherwise you are dead man." The
other at this began to swear at his
opponent, as we'll as vow he would do
nothing of the kind; but the doctor
was resolute, giving the officer to IN
derstand that il he did not commence
to dance before he (Young) counted
thirty, the threat would be carried
into effect. In slow time the doctor
began to count, zone, two, three, %
and by the time he got up to "ten''
the sword was returned into it's
sheath, and before he had counted
twenty" the.offcer was going through
q minuet, as stately as g. man could
do that had g. loaded pistol leveled
within but g. few feet of his head.
After a quarter of an hours practice
the muzzle of the pistol was lowered,
the holder of it saying, as it fell:
"That will do, sir; We are now quits.
You forced me to play against my
will, and I have compelled you to
dance against yours. Being now on
level, will give you whatever other
satisfactio you may require. Thenext
affair will, of course, be with seconds.
You know where to find me. Good
morning" The doctor, however, heard
no more of the matter.